Mission

Uniting the collective power of our community to improve lives. There is a literacy crisis in Winnebago County. And United Way believes and advocates literacy as a foundation for individual, family, and community success. As a result, we created United for Literacy, a comprehensive approach to improving literacy in our community. Using research-based strategies that include funding measurable interventions, parental engagement, volunteer mobilization, caregiving support, and community awareness. But change doesn't happen alone. We're utilizing the power of collective impact to remove barriers to literacy, thereby lifting our whole community. United for Literacy collaborates with nearly 30 community organizations, including 13 funded partners, to improve our county's low literacy and increase the number of books and other resources available to children who may not have access to them at home. Through our United for Literacy collaborative, it is our goal that 75% of children in Winnebago County will be reading at or above grade level by 2034. Everyone deserves an opportunity to reach their fullest potential in life, and our employer partners and community members can play a role in making this happen. We call upon everyone in Winnebago County to make the literacy promise-join us to improve Winnebago County's literacy crisis.